If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8

Established in 1969 Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza, is a Diocesan community advocacy, parish outreach and social service assistance center. Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza services the parishes in the Blackstone Valley area (Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln and Cumberland).

The center assists local parishes in their ministry to the poor and needy throughout the year through working with the parish outreach committees and personnel. Community advocacy is achieved through Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza’s participation and membership in community working groups as well as activities that promote and strengthen the community such as the Pawtucket Re-Entry Council and the Pawtucket Homeless Working Group.

Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza provides the following service programs:

Emergency assistance of basic necessities such as utilities, prescriptions, rental/eviction prevention as well as referral services to local and state agencies

Application processing for Bishop Tobin’s Keep The Heat On fund

Immigration & Refugee Services

Translation services

Citizenship classes

English as a Second Language classes

Income Tax preparation and IRS VITA Filing program for low-income households with special emphasis on promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and the ARRA Economic Stimulus Package

Thanksgiving baskets for families through donations from private donors

Christmas gifts for families through donations from neighboring parishes

Outreach and applications for the Diocesan sponsored programs such as the Cabrini Child Care Scholarship Fund and Elder Care Respite Services

Work with local college and university students to promote community service

Internship site for students exploring career paths

Back-to-school supplies for children returning to school in the fall

Conduct the Annual Good Friday Walk to benefit the Dire Emergency Programs at Project Hope

Site location for the Gabriel Project that provides services to new and expectant mothers

Site location of the St. Mathias Ministry that reaches out to individuals struggling with substance abuse by providing coaching and one-on-one support as well as faith-based support from priests when needed

The Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza National Grid Program: This program assists clients with funding to sustain their payments after other available assistance ceases. Clients receive weatherization assistance, participate in an energy efficiency class, and enroll in our Family Futures Financial Literacy Program.

The Family Futures Financial Literacy Program: a six-week course with weekly one-hour sessions covering basic budgeting, basic banking, traps/pay day lenders, debt management, job training, and understanding utilities bills. In addition to the basic curriculum, participants also receive one-on-one mentoring from a financial coach. The Family Futures Financial Literacy Program is recommended to all clients who participate in our programs.